Saltwater licenses up 3.8 percent in Rhode Island

By CAPT. DAVE MONTI

Special to the SunRise

The Department of Environmental Management’s Marine Fisheries Division released their 2024 annual commercial and recreational fishing report on May 20, 2025. The Department is required by state law to provide annually to the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council a report for review which provides valuable context throughout the regulatory process.

In 2024 there were 54,117 recreational saltwater licenses issued, up 3.8 percent from 2023. One of the highest license totals came in 2020 at the start of the covid pandemic when Rhode Island’s sought solace outdoors in clean fresh air more than ever including over 57,000 saltwater licenses.  

However, the remarkable number for me are the number of fishing trips anglers made last year, nearly four million. The 3,923,972 fishing trips came from shore, boat, charter/party boat sectors. Most of the 2024 fishing trips, 2,343,014, were made by shore anglers.

When you stop to think about the money spent on each recreational fishing trip including bait, tackle, gear, fuel, boat cost and maintenance, hotels, restaurants, etc., the dollar amount is substantial for Rhode Island. NOAA’s Fisheries Economics of the US relates that the all in number including durable goods for recreational fishing sales impacts in Rhode Island is $419 million annually. This data is from the 2018 report, the last year NOAA included durable goods in totals.  

The two top species caught (by numbers of fish) last year were scup at 6.3 million and black sea bass at 5.6 million. However, there was a major decline in Atlantic cod caught from 17,352 cod in 2023 to 7,539 caught in 2024. The cod stock has been overfished with overfishing occurring for years. Recently, new regulations separating the biomass into four separate stocks to help with rebuilding plans approved by the New England Management Fisheries Council has been delayed by the new administration.

For a copy of the 2024 Rhode Island Annual Fisheries report visit https://dem.ecms.ri.gov/

Introduction to the “Hex Hatch”

The RI Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish & Wildlife Aquatic Resource Education program will hold their introduction to the “Hex Hatch” program Thursday, June 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DFW Outdoor Office, 1B Camp E-Hun-Tee Place, Exeter, RI.

Join Ed Lombardo, expert fly guide and instructor, and volunteer experts from United Fly Tyers, Rhody Fly Rodders, and Trout Unlimited to learn about the largest mayfly hatch on the Wood River, Hexagenia Limbata.

The three-hour workshop begins with a presentation about the mayfly and its habits, when it emerges to spawn, what gear to use to mimic the hatch, and how to catch a trout during the hatch. All fly-tying equipment and materials are provided. 

Space is limited and registration is required. Cost is $10 per person. For more information and to register, email kimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov.

Atlantic Bluefin retention 

limits adjusted

NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits will take effect June 3, 2025 and extend through Dec. 31, 2025, unless modified by later action. NOAA Fisheries may need to take another action(s) later in the year, if appropriate, to further adjust the retention limits or close the fishery.

The adjusted limits for private vessels with a HMS angling category permit is one school fish 27” to less than 47”. For charter boats with a HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally two school fish 27” to less than 47” are allowed. In both cases no large school/small medium fish 47” to less than 73” are allowed.

For information and updates visit the NMFS Permit Shop.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass/bluefish. “Striped bass and the bluefish bite has been good in the Godard Park Greenwich Bay area with anglers catching fish using topwater lures and soft plastics,” said Vincent Cataldi of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown. Angler Steve Burstein of Warwick caught a 34” striped bass Thursday night trolling tube & worm at Popasquash Point, Bristol. 

“The striped bass and bluefish bite has been very good from the Bridges all the way to downtown Providence. The further up the Providence River the better. Successful baits have been Atlantic menhaden and maceral with flutter spoons and umbrella rigs working really well too,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick. 

Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Striped bass fishing remains productive, with a good variety of sizes being caught. Bluefish are still present, and there have been reports of some good-sized ones.”  

“Last week I caught a 32” and three smaller bass at Narrow River, Narragansett on an incoming tide.  Used my burgundy color fly that caught some hickory shad as well,” said Ed Lombardo, fly fishing expert and instructor. The East Passage is still yielding fish for anglers all the way up the Providence River.

Black sea bass, summer flounder (fluke), squeteague and scup. Last week I caught small keeper fluke north of the Jamestown Bridge on American Ledge. Vincent Cataldi of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackel, said, “Anglers are loading up on big fluke around Block Island. A boat returned home with over 100 pounds of fluke. Fishing the coastal shore and in the Bay has been fairly slow for keeper fluke. However anglers are hooking up with scup and keeper black sea bass. I saw an angler land a keeper black sea bass from a dock in Jamestown.” 

Tom Olson of Ponaug Bait & Tackle, Warwick, said, “Warwick Neck and Greenwich Bay are yielding a fair amount of squeteague.”

Freshwater. “Fishing has exploded with anglers hooking up with largemouth, pike and some monster sized trout,” said Giddings of the Tackle Box. Some ponds restocked with trout for Memorial Day. Visit Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov.

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net, visit www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com or www.noflukefishing.com .